MrgprC11 <sup>+</sup> sensory neurons mediate glabrous skin itch
Haley Steele, Yanyan Xing, Yuyan Zhu, Henry B. Hilley, Katy Lawson, Yeseul Nho, Taylor Niehoff, Liang Han
Abstract
Significance Chronic itch, associated with dermatologic or systemic diseases, is challenging to treat and significantly affects quality of life. In the past several decades, significant progress has been made to help us understand the mechanisms of itch. Due to the ease of application and analysis, all animal itch behavioral assays utilize pruritogens administered to the hairy skin. However, itch occurs to both hairy and hairless glabrous skin. Many medical conditions such as plantar and palmar psoriasis, dyshidrosis, and cholestasis mainly evoke itch in glabrous skin. We here present evidence demonstrating that distinct neuronal populations are responsible for mediating hairy and glabrous skin itch. This study advanced our understanding of itch and will have significant impact on the clinical treatment of itch.